Electronic device

ABSTRACT

To selectively use an electronic device of glasses type or head unit type as needed, an electronic device comprising an optical driving unit including an image source panel configured to form image light, a display unit configured to display the image light formed by the optical driving unit to a user, a front frame configured to mount the optical driving unit and the display unit, a head unit selectively coupled to the front frame to be seated on a head of the user, and configured to form an electronic part, and a fastening module configured to fasten the head unit and the front frame, in which the fastening module includes a receiving part provided in the front frame, an insert part provided in the head unit and configured to be inserted into the receiving part to be fastened, and an elastic locking member provided in the receiving part to hold the fastening with a restoring force is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit ofearlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2019-0105079, filed on Aug. 27, 2019, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic device and, moreparticularly, to an electronic device used for Virtual Reality (VR),Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR).

Related Art

Virtual reality (VR) refers to any specific environment or situationthat is similar to reality but created by artificial technology usingcomputers, or the technology itself.

Augmented reality (AR) refers to a technology that synthesizes a virtualobject or information in a real environment so that it looks like anobject existing in the original environment.

Mixed reality (MR) or hybrid reality refers to creation of a newenvironment or new information by combining a virtual world with a realworld. In particular, it is called mixed reality when it is possible tointeract in real time between what exists in real and virtual in realtime.

At this time, created virtual environment or situation stimulates thefive senses of the users and allows them to experience spatial andtemporal experiences that are similar to reality to freely cross theboundary between reality and imagination. In addition, users may notonly be immersed in these environments, but also interact with thingsthat are implemented in these environments, such as by manipulating orinstructing them using real devices.

Recently, research on the gear used in this technical field has beenactively conducted.

In such electronic devices, a light and simple form, that is, lightweight, small volume, and comfortable fit are important factors. To meetthese needs, electronic devices used in augmented reality attempt toachieve the small volume and light weight by minimizing the number ofcomponents and using as little battery capacity as the power supply.

However, the volume and size are generally large to provide sufficientcomponents for continuous power supply and electronic components such asprocessing unit, sensing unit, and so on. In order to support such astructure, there is no choice but to implement a head unit typeelectronic device that supports the entire head of the user to be fixed.

To compensate for these drawbacks, it may take the form of receiving andoutputting power or data from an external device, for example, asmartphone. At this time, the external device and the electronic devicemay be wired through a cable or connected wirelessly.

The connection with such an external device has the advantage ofimplementing a light and simple electronic device (for example, smartglasses), but there are various factors such as jamming due to theprovision of the cable, troublesome connection, and possibility of poorcontact, and so on. On the other hand, in the case of a wirelessconnection, there are disadvantages in that the supply of power to theelectronic device is substantially difficult, the power consumption dueto the wireless connection is relatively high, and the connection isunstable.

The advantages and disadvantages of each of these two approaches arecomplementary. Therefore, consideration is needed for how to userespective methods selectively as needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electronic device used for VirtualReality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR).

An object of the present invention is to facilitate the selectivecoupling of an external device or a head unit in an electronic device towhich the external device or the head unit is selectively coupled.

Another object is to implement a structure in which the head unit isstably coupled to the electronic device, and, at the same time, it canbe easily separated if desired from the coupled state.

According to an aspect of the present invention to achieve the above oranother object, an electronic device comprising an optical driving unitincluding an image source panel configured to form image light, adisplay unit configured to display the image light formed by the opticaldriving unit to a user, a front frame configured to mount the opticaldriving unit and the display unit, a head unit selectively coupled tothe front frame to be seated on a head of the user, and configured toform an electronic part and a fastening module configured to fasten thehead unit and the front frame, wherein the fastening module includes areceiving part provided in the front frame, an insert part provided inthe head unit and configured to be inserted into the receiving part tobe fastened and an elastic locking member provided in the receiving partto hold the fastening with a restoring forces is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device wherein the elastic locking member is provided withone side open, which is a ‘C’ shaped ring generating a restoring forcewhen the open area is widened is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device wherein the insert part includes, a support rodconfigured to be inserted into the elastic locking member, a chamferprovided at one end of the supporting rod in an insertion direction toopen the elastic locking member to generate a restoring force when thesupport rod is inserted and a notch provided along a circumference ofthe support rod to which the opened elastic locking member is restoredand caught is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device wherein the support rod is composed of a first memberand a second member facing each other to form a gap therebetween, whichform one region and other region of the notch, respectively, and theelectronic device further comprises a pressing clip for elasticallypressing the first member and the second member to reduce the gap, and aslider slide-movable between the first member and the second member toselectively fill the gap according to the slide movement to prevent areduction of the gap is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising a fastening release buttonconnected to the slider and provided in the insert part to be exposed isprovided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising a spring provided in the insertpart to elastically press the slider for the slider to fill the gap isprovided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising, an insert part case forming anappearance of the insert part and a receiving part case forming anappearance of the receiving part, wherein the pressing clip is providedto press the supporting rod at one point between opposing surfaces ofthe insert part case and the receiving part case is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device wherein the pressing clip is provided in a shape of aplate perpendicular to the insertion direction and includes a gapprevention part which forms a curved protruding surface for elasticallypressing the opposing surfaces of the insert part case and the receivingpart case in a state where the insert part and the receiving part arefastened is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising a pair of fastening module magnetprovided to be adjacent to the opposing surfaces of the insert part caseand the receiving part case to generate mutual attraction is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device wherein the support rod is provided in pairs and inparallel to the insertion direction is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising a hinge unit for fastening theinsert part and the head unit so that the insert part and the head unitcan be mutually rotatable with respect to a rotation axis perpendicularto the insertion direction is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising fastening auxiliary magnetsprovided on the head unit and the front frame to generate mutualattraction, respectively is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device wherein the head unit includes, a support bandsurrounding the head to fix the head unit to the head, a support bracketconnected with the support band to support a region of the head and amain body connected with the support band to form the electronic part,wherein the fastening module is provided in the support bracket isprovided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising, an input port formed in the frontframe and a cable, one side of which is connected to the main body andother side of which is connected to the input port, for supplying dataand power of the head unit to the driving unit is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising, a first cable fixing magnetprovided in the support band and a second cable fixing magnet providedin the cable to generate mutual attraction with the first magnet isprovided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising, an input port formed in the mainbody and a cable, one side of which is connected to an external deviceand other side of which is connected to the input port, for supplyingdata or power of the external device to the main body is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, theelectronic device further comprising an input port formed in the frontframe and a cable, one side of which is connected to an external deviceand other side of which is connected to the input port, for supplyingdata or power of the external device to the driving unit is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an AI device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of an eXtendedReality (XR) electronic device according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a VR electronic device according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a situation in which the VR electronic device of FIG.3 is used.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an AR electronic device according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a optical driving unitaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 to 13 illustrate various display methods applicable to a displayunit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A illustrates an aspect of an electronic device in the glassesmode, and FIG. 14B illustrates an aspect of an electronic device in thehead unit mode.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate before and after the coupling state of thefastening module associated with the present invention sequentially, andFIG. 15C is a front view of an elastic locking member.

FIG. 16A illustrates a side view and a bottom view of the state that thefastening module is fastened, and FIG. 16B illustrates a side view and abottom view of the state that the fastening module is released.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the state in which an insert part and areceiving part of the fastening module associated with the presentinvention are fastened.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of an electronic device associated withthe present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of an electronic device associated withthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In what follows, embodiments disclosed in this document will bedescribed in detail with reference to appended drawings, where the sameor similar constituent elements are given the same reference numberirrespective of their drawing symbols, and repeated descriptions thereofwill be omitted.

In describing an embodiment disclosed in the present specification, if aconstituting element is said to be “connected” or “attached” to otherconstituting element, it should be understood that the former may beconnected or attached directly to the other constituting element, butthere may be a case in which another constituting element is presentbetween the two constituting elements.

Also, in describing an embodiment disclosed in the present document, ifit is determined that a detailed description of a related artincorporated herein unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiment,the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, it should beunderstood that the appended drawings are intended only to helpunderstand embodiments disclosed in the present document and do notlimit the technical principles and scope of the present invention;rather, it should be understood that the appended drawings include allof the modifications, equivalents or substitutes described by thetechnical principles and belonging to the technical scope of the presentinvention.

[5G Scenario]

The three main requirement areas in the 5G system are (1) enhancedMobile Broadband (eMBB) area, (2) massive Machine Type Communication(mMTC) area, and (3) Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication(URLLC) area.

Some use case may require a plurality of areas for optimization, butother use case may focus only one Key Performance Indicator (KPI). The5G system supports various use cases in a flexible and reliable manner.

eMBB far surpasses the basic mobile Internet access, supports variousinteractive works, and covers media and entertainment applications inthe cloud computing or augmented reality environment. Data is one ofcore driving elements of the 5G system, which is so abundant that forthe first time, the voice-only service may be disappeared. In the 5G,voice is expected to be handled simply by an application program using adata connection provided by the communication system. Primary causes ofincreased volume of traffic are increase of content size and increase ofthe number of applications requiring a high data transfer rate.Streaming service (audio and video), interactive video, and mobileInternet connection will be more heavily used as more and more devicesare connected to the Internet. These application programs requirealways-on connectivity to push real-time information and notificationsto the user. Cloud-based storage and applications are growing rapidly inthe mobile communication platforms, which may be applied to both ofbusiness and entertainment uses. And the cloud-based storage is aspecial use case that drives growth of uplink data transfer rate. The 5Gis also used for cloud-based remote works and requires a much shorterend-to-end latency to ensure excellent user experience when a tactileinterface is used. Entertainment, for example, cloud-based game andvideo streaming, is another core element that strengthens therequirement for mobile broadband capability. Entertainment is essentialfor smartphones and tablets in any place including a high mobilityenvironment such as a train, car, and plane. Another use case isaugmented reality for entertainment and information search. Here,augmented reality requires very low latency and instantaneous datatransfer.

Also, one of highly expected 5G use cases is the function that connectsembedded sensors seamlessly in every possible area, namely the use casebased on mMTC. Up to 2020, the number of potential IoT devices isexpected to reach 20.4 billion. Industrial IoT is one of key areas wherethe 5G performs a primary role to maintain infrastructure for smartcity, asset tracking, smart utility, agriculture and security.

URLLC includes new services which may transform industry throughultra-reliable/ultra-low latency links, such as remote control of majorinfrastructure and self-driving cars. The level of reliability andlatency are essential for smart grid control, industry automation,robotics, and drone control and coordination.

Next, a plurality of use cases will be described in more detail.

The 5G may complement Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) and cable-based broadband(or DOCSIS) as a means to provide a stream estimated to occupy hundredsof megabits per second up to gigabits per second. This fast speed isrequired not only for virtual reality and augmented reality but also fortransferring video with a resolution more than 4K (6K, 8K or more). VRand AR applications almost always include immersive sports games.Specific application programs may require a special networkconfiguration. For example, in the case of VR game, to minimize latency,game service providers may have to integrate a core server with the edgenetwork service of the network operator.

Automobiles are expected to be a new important driving force for the 5Gsystem together with various use cases of mobile communication forvehicles. For example, entertainment for passengers requires highcapacity and high mobile broadband at the same time. This is so becauseusers continue to expect a high-quality connection irrespective of theirlocation and moving speed. Another use case in the automotive field isan augmented reality dashboard. The augmented reality dashboard overlaysinformation, which is a perception result of an object in the dark andcontains distance to the object and object motion, on what is seenthrough the front window. In a future, a wireless module enablescommunication among vehicles, information exchange between a vehicle andsupporting infrastructure, and information exchange among a vehicle andother connected devices (for example, devices carried by a pedestrian).A safety system guides alternative courses of driving so that a drivermay drive his or her vehicle more safely and to reduce the risk ofaccident. The next step will be a remotely driven or self-drivenvehicle. This step requires highly reliable and highly fastcommunication between different self-driving vehicles and between aself-driving vehicle and infrastructure. In the future, it is expectedthat a self-driving vehicle takes care of all of the driving activitieswhile a human driver focuses on dealing with an abnormal drivingsituation that the self-driving vehicle is unable to recognize.Technical requirements of a self-driving vehicle demand ultra-lowlatency and ultra-fast reliability up to the level that traffic safetymay not be reached by human drivers.

The smart city and smart home, which are regarded as essential torealize a smart society, will be embedded into a high-density wirelesssensor network. Distributed networks comprising intelligent sensors mayidentify conditions for cost-efficient and energy-efficient conditionsfor maintaining cities and homes. A similar configuration may be appliedfor each home. Temperature sensors, window and heating controllers,anti-theft alarm devices, and home appliances will be all connectedwirelessly. Many of these sensors typified with a low data transferrate, low power, and low cost. However, for example, real-time HD videomay require specific types of devices for the purpose of surveillance.

As consumption and distribution of energy including heat or gas is beinghighly distributed, automated control of a distributed sensor network isrequired. A smart grid collects information and interconnect sensors byusing digital information and communication technologies so that thedistributed sensor network operates according to the collectedinformation. Since the information may include behaviors of energysuppliers and consumers, the smart grid may help improving distributionof fuels such as electricity in terms of efficiency, reliability,economics, production sustainability, and automation. The smart grid maybe regarded as a different type of sensor network with a low latency.

The health-care sector has many application programs that may benefitfrom mobile communication. A communication system may supporttelemedicine providing a clinical care from a distance. Telemedicine mayhelp reduce barriers to distance and improve access to medical servicesthat are not readily available in remote rural areas. It may also beused to save lives in critical medical and emergency situations. Awireless sensor network based on mobile communication may provide remotemonitoring and sensors for parameters such as the heart rate and bloodpressure.

Wireless and mobile communication are becoming increasingly importantfor industrial applications. Cable wiring requires high installation andmaintenance costs. Therefore, replacement of cables with reconfigurablewireless links is an attractive opportunity for many industrialapplications. However, to exploit the opportunity, the wirelessconnection is required to function with a latency similar to that in thecable connection, to be reliable and of large capacity, and to bemanaged in a simple manner. Low latency and very low error probabilityare new requirements that lead to the introduction of the 5G system.

Logistics and freight tracking are important use cases of mobilecommunication, which require tracking of an inventory and packages fromany place by using location-based information system. The use oflogistics and freight tracking typically requires a low data rate butrequires large-scale and reliable location information.

The present invention to be described below may be implemented bycombining or modifying the respective embodiments to satisfy theaforementioned requirements of the 5G system.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an AI device.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the AI system, at least one or more of an AIserver 16, robot 11, self-driving vehicle 12, XR device 13, smartphone14, or home appliance 15 are connected to a cloud network 10. Here, therobot 11, self-driving vehicle 12, XR device 13, smartphone 14, or homeappliance 15 to which the AI technology has been applied may be referredto as an AI device (11 to 15).

The cloud network 10 may comprise part of the cloud computinginfrastructure or refer to a network existing in the cloud computinginfrastructure. Here, the cloud network 10 may be constructed by usingthe 3G network, 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, or 5G network.

In other words, individual devices (11 to 16) constituting the AI systemmay be connected to each other through the cloud network 10. Inparticular, each individual device (11 to 16) may communicate with eachother through the eNB but may communicate directly to each other withoutrelying on the eNB.

The AI server 16 may include a server performing AI processing and aserver performing computations on big data.

The AI server 16 may be connected to at least one or more of the robot11, self-driving vehicle 12, XR device 13, smartphone 14, or homeappliance 15, which are AI devices constituting the AI system, throughthe cloud network 10 and may help at least part of AI processingconducted in the connected AI devices (11 to 15).

At this time, the AI server 16 may teach the artificial neural networkaccording to a machine learning algorithm on behalf of the AI device (11to 15), directly store the learning model, or transmit the learningmodel to the AI device (11 to 15).

At this time, the AI server 16 may receive input data from the AI device(11 to 15), infer a result value from the received input data by usingthe learning model, generate a response or control command based on theinferred result value, and transmit the generated response or controlcommand to the AI device (11 to 15).

Similarly, the AI device (11 to 15) may infer a result value from theinput data by employing the learning model directly and generate aresponse or control command based on the inferred result value.

<AI+Robot>

By employing the AI technology, the robot 11 may be implemented as aguide robot, transport robot, cleaning robot, wearable robot,entertainment robot, pet robot, or unmanned flying robot.

The robot 11 may include a robot control module for controlling itsmotion, where the robot control module may correspond to a softwaremodule or a chip which implements the software module in the form of ahardware device.

The robot 11 may obtain status information of the robot 11, detect(recognize) the surroundings and objects, generate map data, determine atravel path and navigation plan, determine a response to userinteraction, or determine motion by using sensor information obtainedfrom various types of sensors.

Here, the robot 11 may use sensor information obtained from at least oneor more sensors among lidar, radar, and camera to determine a travelpath and navigation plan.

The robot 11 may perform the operations above by using a learning modelbuilt on at least one or more artificial neural networks. For example,the robot 11 may recognize the surroundings and objects by using thelearning model and determine its motion by using the recognizedsurroundings or object information. Here, the learning model may be theone trained by the robot 11 itself or trained by an external device suchas the AI server 16.

At this time, the robot 11 may perform the operation by generating aresult by employing the learning model directly but also perform theoperation by transmitting sensor information to an external device suchas the AI server 16 and receiving a result generated accordingly.

The robot 11 may determine a travel path and navigation plan by using atleast one or more of object information detected from the map data andsensor information or object information obtained from an externaldevice and navigate according to the determined travel path andnavigation plan by controlling its locomotion platform.

Map data may include object identification information about variousobjects disposed in the space in which the robot 11 navigates. Forexample, the map data may include object identification informationabout static objects such as wall and doors and movable objects such asa flowerpot and a desk. And the object identification information mayinclude the name, type, distance, location, and so on.

Also, the robot 11 may perform the operation or navigate the space bycontrolling its locomotion platform based on the control/interaction ofthe user. At this time, the robot 11 may obtain intention information ofthe interaction due to the user's motion or voice command and perform anoperation by determining a response based on the obtained intentioninformation.

<AI+Autonomous Navigation>

By employing the AI technology, the self-driving vehicle 12 may beimplemented as a mobile robot, unmanned ground vehicle, or unmannedaerial vehicle.

The self-driving vehicle 12 may include an autonomous navigation modulefor controlling its autonomous navigation function, where the autonomousnavigation control module may correspond to a software module or a chipwhich implements the software module in the form of a hardware device.The autonomous navigation control module may be installed inside theself-driving vehicle 12 as a constituting element thereof or may beinstalled outside the self-driving vehicle 12 as a separate hardwarecomponent.

The self-driving vehicle 12 may obtain status information of theself-driving vehicle 12, detect (recognize) the surroundings andobjects, generate map data, determine a travel path and navigation plan,or determine motion by using sensor information obtained from varioustypes of sensors.

Like the robot 11, the self-driving vehicle 12 may use sensorinformation obtained from at least one or more sensors among lidar,radar, and camera to determine a travel path and navigation plan.

In particular, the self-driving vehicle 12 may recognize an occludedarea or an area extending over a predetermined distance or objectslocated across the area by collecting sensor information from externaldevices or receive recognized information directly from the externaldevices.

The self-driving vehicle 12 may perform the operations above by using alearning model built on at least one or more artificial neural networks.For example, the self-driving vehicle 12 may recognize the surroundingsand objects by using the learning model and determine its navigationroute by using the recognized surroundings or object information. Here,the learning model may be the one trained by the self-driving vehicle 12itself or trained by an external device such as the AI server 16.

At this time, the self-driving vehicle 12 may perform the operation bygenerating a result by employing the learning model directly but alsoperform the operation by transmitting sensor information to an externaldevice such as the AI server 16 and receiving a result generatedaccordingly.

The self-driving vehicle 12 may determine a travel path and navigationplan by using at least one or more of object information detected fromthe map data and sensor information or object information obtained froman external device and navigate according to the determined travel pathand navigation plan by controlling its driving platform.

Map data may include object identification information about variousobjects disposed in the space (for example, road) in which theself-driving vehicle 12 navigates. For example, the map data may includeobject identification information about static objects such asstreetlights, rocks and buildings and movable objects such as vehiclesand pedestrians. And the object identification information may includethe name, type, distance, location, and so on.

Also, the self-driving vehicle 12 may perform the operation or navigatethe space by controlling its driving platform based on thecontrol/interaction of the user. At this time, the self-driving vehicle12 may obtain intention information of the interaction due to the user'smotion or voice command and perform an operation by determining aresponse based on the obtained intention information.

<AI+XR>

By employing the AI technology, the XR device 13 may be implemented as aHead-Mounted Display (HMD), Head-Up Display (HUD) installed at thevehicle, TV, mobile phone, smartphone, computer, wearable device, homeappliance, digital signage, vehicle, robot with a fixed platform, ormobile robot.

The XR device 13 may obtain information about the surroundings orphysical objects by generating position and attribute data about 3Dpoints by analyzing 3D point cloud or image data acquired from varioussensors or external devices and output objects in the form of XR objectsby rendering the objects for display.

The XR device 13 may perform the operations above by using a learningmodel built on at least one or more artificial neural networks. Forexample, the XR device 13 may recognize physical objects from 3D pointcloud or image data by using the learning model and provide informationcorresponding to the recognized physical objects. Here, the learningmodel may be the one trained by the XR device 13 itself or trained by anexternal device such as the AI server 16.

At this time, the XR device 13 may perform the operation by generating aresult by employing the learning model directly but also perform theoperation by transmitting sensor information to an external device suchas the AI server 16 and receiving a result generated accordingly.

<AI+Robot+Autonomous Navigation>

By employing the AI and autonomous navigation technologies, the robot 11may be implemented as a guide robot, transport robot, cleaning robot,wearable robot, entertainment robot, pet robot, or unmanned flyingrobot.

The robot 11 employing the AI and autonomous navigation technologies maycorrespond to a robot itself having an autonomous navigation function ora robot 11 interacting with the self-driving vehicle 12.

The robot 11 having the autonomous navigation function may correspondcollectively to the devices which may move autonomously along a givenpath without control of the user or which may move by determining itspath autonomously.

The robot 11 and the self-driving vehicle 12 having the autonomousnavigation function may use a common sensing method to determine one ormore of the travel path or navigation plan. For example, the robot 11and the self-driving vehicle 12 having the autonomous navigationfunction may determine one or more of the travel path or navigation planby using the information sensed through lidar, radar, and camera.

The robot 11 interacting with the self-driving vehicle 12, which existsseparately from the self-driving vehicle 12, may be associated with theautonomous navigation function inside or outside the self-drivingvehicle 12 or perform an operation associated with the user riding theself-driving vehicle 12.

At this time, the robot 11 interacting with the self-driving vehicle 12may obtain sensor information in place of the self-driving vehicle 12and provide the sensed information to the self-driving vehicle 12; ormay control or assist the autonomous navigation function of theself-driving vehicle 12 by obtaining sensor information, generatinginformation of the surroundings or object information, and providing thegenerated information to the self-driving vehicle 12.

Also, the robot 11 interacting with the self-driving vehicle 12 maycontrol the function of the self-driving vehicle 12 by monitoring theuser riding the self-driving vehicle 12 or through interaction with theuser. For example, if it is determined that the driver is drowsy, therobot 11 may activate the autonomous navigation function of theself-driving vehicle 12 or assist the control of the driving platform ofthe self-driving vehicle 12. Here, the function of the self-drivingvehicle 12 controlled by the robot 12 may include not only theautonomous navigation function but also the navigation system installedinside the self-driving vehicle 12 or the function provided by the audiosystem of the self-driving vehicle 12.

Also, the robot 11 interacting with the self-driving vehicle 12 mayprovide information to the self-driving vehicle 12 or assist functionsof the self-driving vehicle 12 from the outside of the self-drivingvehicle 12. For example, the robot 11 may provide traffic informationincluding traffic sign information to the self-driving vehicle 12 like asmart traffic light or may automatically connect an electric charger tothe charging port by interacting with the self-driving vehicle 12 likean automatic electric charger of the electric vehicle.

<AI+Robot+XR>

By employing the AI technology, the robot 11 may be implemented as aguide robot, transport robot, cleaning robot, wearable robot,entertainment robot, pet robot, or unmanned flying robot.

The robot 11 employing the XR technology may correspond to a robot whichacts as a control/interaction target in the XR image. In this case, therobot 11 may be distinguished from the XR device 13, both of which mayoperate in conjunction with each other.

If the robot 11, which acts as a control/interaction target in the XRimage, obtains sensor information from the sensors including a camera,the robot 11 or XR device 13 may generate an XR image based on thesensor information, and the XR device 13 may output the generated XRimage. And the robot 11 may operate based on the control signal receivedthrough the XR device 13 or based on the interaction with the user.

For example, the user may check the XR image corresponding to theviewpoint of the robot 11 associated remotely through an external devicesuch as the XR device 13, modify the navigation path of the robot 11through interaction, control the operation or navigation of the robot11, or check the information of nearby objects.

<AI+Autonomous Navigation+XR>

By employing the AI and XR technologies, the self-driving vehicle 12 maybe implemented as a mobile robot, unmanned ground vehicle, or unmannedaerial vehicle.

The self-driving vehicle 12 employing the XR technology may correspondto a self-driving vehicle having a means for providing XR images or aself-driving vehicle which acts as a control/interaction target in theXR image. In particular, the self-driving vehicle 12 which acts as acontrol/interaction target in the XR image may be distinguished from theXR device 13, both of which may operate in conjunction with each other.

The self-driving vehicle 12 having a means for providing XR images mayobtain sensor information from sensors including a camera and output XRimages generated based on the sensor information obtained. For example,by displaying an XR image through HUD, the self-driving vehicle 12 mayprovide XR images corresponding to physical objects or image objects tothe passenger.

At this time, if an XR object is output on the HUD, at least part of theXR object may be output so as to be overlapped with the physical objectat which the passenger gazes. On the other hand, if an XR object isoutput on a display installed inside the self-driving vehicle 12, atleast part of the XR object may be output so as to be overlapped with animage object. For example, the self-driving vehicle 12 may output XRobjects corresponding to the objects such as roads, other vehicles,traffic lights, traffic signs, bicycles, pedestrians, and buildings.

If the self-driving vehicle 12, which acts as a control/interactiontarget in the XR image, obtains sensor information from the sensorsincluding a camera, the self-driving vehicle 12 or XR device 13 maygenerate an XR image based on the sensor information, and the XR device13 may output the generated XR image. And the self-driving vehicle 12may operate based on the control signal received through an externaldevice such as the XR device 13 or based on the interaction with theuser.

[Extended Reality Technology]

eXtended Reality (XR) refers to all of Virtual Reality (VR), AugmentedReality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). The VR technology provides objectsor backgrounds of the real world only in the form of CG images, ARtechnology provides virtual CG images overlaid on the physical objectimages, and MR technology employs computer graphics technology to mixand merge virtual objects with the real world.

MR technology is similar to AR technology in a sense that physicalobjects are displayed together with virtual objects. However, whilevirtual objects supplement physical objects in the AR, virtual andphysical objects co-exist as equivalents in the MR.

The XR technology may be applied to Head-Mounted Display (HMD), Head-UpDisplay (HUD), mobile phone, tablet PC, laptop computer, desktopcomputer, TV, digital signage, and so on, where a device employing theXR technology may be called an XR device.

In what follows, an electronic device providing XR according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of an XR electronicdevice 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the XR electronic device 20 may include a wirelesscommunication unit 21, input unit 22, sensing unit 23, output unit 24,interface unit 25, memory 26, controller 27, and power supply unit 28.The constituting elements shown in FIG. 2 are not essential forimplementing the electronic device 20, and therefore, the electronicdevice 20 described in this document may have more or fewer constitutingelements than those listed above.

More specifically, among the constituting elements above, the wirelesscommunication unit 21 may include one or more modules which enablewireless communication between the electronic device 20 and a wirelesscommunication system, between the electronic device 20 and otherelectronic device, or between the electronic device 20 and an externalserver. Also, the wireless communication unit 21 may include one or moremodules that connect the electronic device 20 to one or more networks.

The wireless communication unit 21 may include at least one of abroadcast receiving module, mobile communication module, wirelessInternet module, short-range communication module, and locationinformation module.

The input unit 22 may include a camera or image input unit for receivingan image signal, microphone or audio input unit for receiving an audiosignal, and user input unit (for example, touch key) for receivinginformation from the user, and push key (for example, mechanical key).Voice data or image data collected by the input unit 22 may be analyzedand processed as a control command of the user.

The sensing unit 23 may include one or more sensors for sensing at leastone of the surroundings of the electronic device 20 and userinformation.

For example, the sensing unit 23 may include at least one of a proximitysensor, illumination sensor, touch sensor, acceleration sensor, magneticsensor, G-sensor, gyroscope sensor, motion sensor, RGB sensor, infrared(IR) sensor, finger scan sensor, ultrasonic sensor, optical sensor (forexample, image capture means), microphone, battery gauge, environmentsensor (for example, barometer, hygrometer, radiation detection sensor,heat detection sensor, and gas detection sensor), and chemical sensor(for example, electronic nose, health-care sensor, and biometricsensor). Meanwhile, the electronic device 20 disclosed in the presentspecification may utilize information collected from at least two ormore sensors listed above.

The output unit 24 is intended to generate an output related to avisual, aural, or tactile stimulus and may include at least one of adisplay unit, sound output unit, haptic module, and optical output unit.The display unit may implement a touchscreen by forming a layeredstructure or being integrated with touch sensors. The touchscreen maynot only function as a user input means for providing an input interfacebetween the AR electronic device 20 and the user but also provide anoutput interface between the AR electronic device 20 and the user.

The interface unit 25 serves as a path to various types of externaldevices connected to the electronic device 20. Through the interfaceunit 25, the electronic device 20 may receive VR or AR content from anexternal device and perform interaction by exchanging various inputsignals, sensing signals, and data.

For example, the interface unit 25 may include at least one of awired/wireless headset port, external charging port, wired/wireless dataport, memory card port, port for connecting to a device equipped with anidentification module, audio Input/Output (I/O) port, video I/O port,and earphone port.

Also, the memory 26 stores data supporting various functions of theelectronic device 20. The memory 26 may store a plurality of applicationprograms (or applications) executed in the electronic device 20; anddata and commands for operation of the electronic device 20. Also, atleast part of the application programs may be pre-installed at theelectronic device 20 from the time of factory shipment for basicfunctions (for example, incoming and outgoing call function and messagereception and transmission function) of the electronic device 20.

The controller 27 usually controls the overall operation of theelectronic device 20 in addition to the operation related to theapplication program. The controller 27 may process signals, data, andinformation input or output through the constituting elements describedabove.

Also, the controller 27 may provide relevant information or process afunction for the user by executing an application program stored in thememory 26 and controlling at least part of the constituting elements.Furthermore, the controller 27 may combine and operate at least two ormore constituting elements among those constituting elements included inthe electronic device 20 to operate the application program.

Also, the controller 27 may detect the motion of the electronic device20 or user by using a gyroscope sensor, g-sensor, or motion sensorincluded in the sensing unit 23. Also, the controller 27 may detect anobject approaching the vicinity of the electronic device 20 or user byusing a proximity sensor, illumination sensor, magnetic sensor, infraredsensor, ultrasonic sensor, or light sensor included in the sensing unit23. Besides, the controller 27 may detect the motion of the user throughsensors installed at the controller operating in conjunction with theelectronic device 20.

Also, the controller 27 may perform the operation (or function) of theelectronic device 20 by using an application program stored in thememory 26.

The power supply unit 28 receives external or internal power under thecontrol of the controller 27 and supplies the power to each and everyconstituting element included in the electronic device 20. The powersupply unit 28 includes battery, which may be provided in a built-in orreplaceable form.

At least part of the constituting elements described above may operatein conjunction with each other to implement the operation, control, orcontrol method of the electronic device according to various embodimentsdescribed below. Also, the operation, control, or control method of theelectronic device may be implemented on the electronic device byexecuting at least one application program stored in the memory 26.

In what follows, the electronic device according to one embodiment ofthe present invention will be described with reference to an examplewhere the electronic device is applied to a Head Mounted Display (HMD).However, embodiments of the electronic device according to the presentinvention may include a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop computer,digital broadcast terminal, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), PortableMultimedia Player (PMP), navigation terminal, slate PC, tablet PC,ultrabook, and wearable device. Wearable devices may include smart watchand contact lens in addition to the HMD.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a VR electronic device according to oneembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 illustrates a situationin which the VR electronic device of FIG. 3 is used.

Referring to the figures, a VR electronic device may include a box-typeelectronic device 30 mounted on the head of the user and a controller 40(40 a, 40 b) that the user may grip and manipulate.

The electronic device 30 includes a head unit 31 worn and supported onthe head and a display unit 32 being combined with the head unit 31 anddisplaying a virtual image or video in front of the user's eyes.Although the figure shows that the head unit 31 and display unit 32 aremade as separate units and combined together, the display unit 32 mayalso be formed being integrated into the head unit 31.

The head unit 31 may assume a structure of enclosing the head of theuser so as to disperse the weight of the display unit 32. And toaccommodate different head sizes of users, the head unit 31 may providea band of variable length.

The display unit 32 includes a cover unit 32 a combined with the headunit 31 and a display unit 32 b containing a display panel.

The cover unit 32 a is also called a goggle frame and may have the shapeof a tub as a whole. The cover unit 32 a has a space formed therein, andan opening is formed at the front surface of the cover unit, theposition of which corresponds to the eyeballs of the user.

The display unit 32 b is installed on the front surface frame of thecover unit 32 a and disposed at the position corresponding to the eyesof the user to display screen information (image or video). The screeninformation output on the display unit 32 b includes not only VR contentbut also external images collected through an image capture means suchas a camera.

And VR content displayed on the display unit 32 b may be the contentstored in the electronic device 30 itself or the content stored in anexternal device 60. For example, when the screen information is an imageof the virtual world stored in the electronic device 30, the electronicdevice 30 may perform image processing and rendering to process theimage of the virtual world and display image information generated fromthe image processing and rendering through the display unit 32 b. On theother hand, in the case of a VR image stored in the external device 60,the external device 60 performs image processing and rendering andtransmits image information generated from the image processing andrendering to the electronic device 30. Then the electronic device 30 mayoutput 3D image information received from the external device 60 throughthe display unit 32 b.

The display unit 32 b may include a display panel installed at the frontof the opening of the cover unit 32 a, where the display panel may be anLCD or OLED panel. Similarly, the display unit 32 b may be a displayunit of a smartphone. In other words, the display unit 32 b may have aspecific structure in which a smartphone may be attached to or detachedfrom the front of the cover unit 32 a.

And an image capture means and various types of sensors may be installedat the front of the display unit 32.

The image capture means (for example, camera) is formed to capture(receive or input) the image of the front and may obtain a real world asseen by the user as an image. One image capture means may be installedat the center of the display unit 32 b, or two or more of them may beinstalled at symmetric positions. When a plurality of image capturemeans are installed, a stereoscopic image may be obtained. An imagecombining an external image obtained from an image capture means with avirtual image may be displayed through the display unit 32 b.

Various types of sensors may include a gyroscope sensor, motion sensor,or IR sensor. Various types of sensors will be described in more detaillater.

At the rear of the display unit 32, a facial pad 33 may be installed.The facial pad 33 is made of cushioned material and is fit around theeyes of the user, providing comfortable fit to the face of the user. Andthe facial pad 33 is made of a flexible material with a shapecorresponding to the front contour of the human face and may be fit tothe facial shape of a different user, thereby blocking external lightfrom entering the eyes.

In addition to the above, the electronic device 30 may be equipped witha user input unit operated to receive a control command, sound outputunit, and controller. Descriptions of the aforementioned units are thesame as give previously and will be omitted.

Also, a VR electronic device may be equipped with a controller 40 (40 a,40 b) for controlling the operation related to VR images displayedthrough the box-type electronic device 30 as a peripheral device.

The controller 40 is provided in a way that the user may easily grip thecontroller 40 by using his or her both hands, and the outer surface ofthe controller 40 may have a touchpad (or trackpad) or buttons forreceiving the user input.

The controller 40 may be used to control the screen output on thedisplay unit 32 b in conjunction with the electronic device 30. Thecontroller 40 may include a grip unit that the user grips and a headunit extended from the grip unit and equipped with various sensors and amicroprocessor. The grip unit may be shaped as a long vertical bar sothat the user may easily grip the grip unit, and the head unit may beformed in a ring shape.

And the controller 40 may include an IR sensor, motion tracking sensor,microprocessor, and input unit. For example, IR sensor receives lightemitted from a position tracking device 50 to be described later andtracks motion of the user. The motion tracking sensor may be formed as asingle sensor suite integrating a 3-axis acceleration sensor, 3-axisgyroscope, and digital motion processor.

And the grip unit of the controller 40 may provide a user input unit.For example, the user input unit may include keys disposed inside thegrip unit, touchpad (trackpad) equipped outside the grip unit, andtrigger button.

Meanwhile, the controller 40 may perform a feedback operationcorresponding to a signal received from the controller 27 of theelectronic device 30. For example, the controller 40 may deliver afeedback signal to the user in the form of vibration, sound, or light.

Also, by operating the controller 40, the user may access an externalenvironment image seen through the camera installed in the electronicdevice 30. In other words, even in the middle of experiencing thevirtual world, the user may immediately check the surroundingenvironment by operating the controller 40 without taking off theelectronic device 30.

Also, the VR electronic device may further include a position trackingdevice 50. The position tracking device 50 detects the position of theelectronic device 30 or controller 40 by applying a position trackingtechnique, called lighthouse system, and helps tracking the 360-degreemotion of the user.

The position tacking system may be implemented by installing one or moreposition tracking device 50 (50 a, 50 b) in a closed, specific space. Aplurality of position tracking devices 50 may be installed at suchpositions that maximize the span of location-aware space, for example,at positions facing each other in the diagonal direction.

The electronic device 30 or controller 40 may receive light emitted fromLED or laser emitter included in the plurality of position trackingdevices 50 and determine the accurate position of the user in a closed,specific space based on a correlation between the time and position atwhich the corresponding light is received. To this purpose, each of theposition tracking devices 50 may include an IR lamp and 2-axis motor,through which a signal is exchanged with the electronic device 30 orcontroller 40.

Also, the electronic device 30 may perform wired/wireless communicationwith an external device 60 (for example, PC, smartphone, or tablet PC).The electronic device 30 may receive images of the virtual world storedin the connected external device 60 and display the received image tothe user.

Meanwhile, since the controller 40 and position tracking device 50described above are not essential elements, they may be omitted in theembodiments of the present invention. For example, an input deviceinstalled in the electronic device 30 may replace the controller 40, andposition information may be determined by itself from various sensorsinstalled in the electronic device 30.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an AR electronic device according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic device according to one embodiment ofthe present invention may include a frame 100, optical driving unit 200,and display unit 300.

The electronic device may be provided in the form of smart glasses. Theglass-type electronic device may be shaped to be worn on the head of theuser, for which the frame (case or housing) 100 may be used. The frame100 may be made of a flexible material so that the user may wear theglass-type electronic device comfortably.

The frame 100 is supported on the head and provides a space in whichvarious components are installed. As shown in the figure, electroniccomponents such as the optical driving unit 200, user input unit 130, orsound output unit 140 may be installed in the frame 100. Also, lens thatcovers at least one of the left and right eyes may be installed in theframe 100 in a detachable manner.

As shown in the figure, the frame 100 may have a shape of glasses wornon the face of the user; however, the present invention is not limitedto the specific shape and may have a shape such as goggles worn in closecontact with the user's face.

The frame 100 may include a front frame 110 having at least one openingand one pair of side frames 120 parallel to each other and beingextended in a first direction (y), which are intersected by the frontframe 110.

The optical driving unit 200 is configured to control various electroniccomponents installed in the electronic device.

The optical driving unit 200 may generate an image shown to the user orvideo comprising successive images. The optical driving unit 200 mayinclude an image source panel that generates an image and a plurality oflenses that diffuse and converge light generated from the image sourcepanel.

The optical driving unit 200 may be fixed to either of the two sideframes 120. For example, the optical driving unit 200 may be fixed inthe inner or outer surface of one side frame 120 or embedded inside oneof side frames 120. Or the optical driving unit 200 may be fixed to thefront frame 110 or provided separately from the electronic device.

The display unit 300 may be implemented in the form of a Head MountedDisplay (HMD). HMD refers to a particular type of display device worn onthe head and showing an image directly in front of eyes of the user. Thedisplay unit 300 may be disposed to correspond to at least one of leftand right eyes so that images may be shown directly in front of theeye(s) of the user when the user wears the electronic device. Thepresent figure illustrates a case where the display unit 300 is disposedat the position corresponding to the right eye of the user so thatimages may be shown before the right eye of the user.

The display unit 300 may be used so that an image generated by theoptical driving unit 200 is shown to the user while the user visuallyrecognizes the external environment. For example, the display unit 300may project an image on the display area by using a prism.

And the display unit 300 may be formed to be transparent so that aprojected image and a normal view (the visible part of the world as seenthrough the eyes of the user) in the front are shown at the same time.For example, the display unit 300 may be translucent and made of opticalelements including glass.

And the display unit 300 may be fixed by being inserted into the openingincluded in the front frame 110 or may be fixed on the front surface 110by being positioned on the rear surface of the opening (namely betweenthe opening and the user's eye). Although the figure illustrates oneexample where the display unit 300 is fixed on the front surface 110 bybeing positioned on the rear surface of the rear surface, the displayunit 300 may be disposed and fixed at various positions of the frame100.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic device may operate so that if theoptical driving unit 200 projects light about an image onto one side ofthe display unit 300, the light is emitted to the other side of thedisplay unit, and the image generated by the optical driving unit 200 isshown to the user.

Accordingly, the user may see the image generated by the optical drivingunit 200 while seeing the external environment simultaneously throughthe opening of the frame 100. In other words, the image output throughthe display unit 300 may be seen by being overlapped with a normal view.By using the display characteristic described above, the electronicdevice may provide an AR experience which shows a virtual imageoverlapped with a real image or background as a single, interwovenimage.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a optical driving unitaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the figure, the optical driving unit 200 may include afirst cover 207 and second cover 225 for protecting internalconstituting elements and forming the external appearance of the opticaldriving unit 200, where, inside the first 207 and second 225 covers,included are a driving unit 201, image source panel 203, PolarizationBeam Splitter Filter (PBSF) 211, mirror 209, a plurality of lenses 213,215, 217, 221, Fly Eye Lens (FEL) 219, Dichroic filter 227, and Freeformprism Projection Lens (FPL) 223.

The first 207 and second 225 covers provide a space in which the drivingunit 201, image source panel 203, PBSF 211, mirror 209, a plurality oflenses 213, 215, 217, 221, FEL 219, and FPL may be installed, and theinternal constituting elements are packaged and fixed to either of theside frames 120.

The driving unit 201 may supply a driving signal that controls a videoor an image displayed on the image source panel 203 and may be linked toa separate modular driving chip installed inside or outside the opticaldriving unit 200. The driving unit 201 may be installed in the form ofFlexible Printed Circuits Board (FPCB), which may be equipped withheatsink that dissipates heat generated during operation to the outside.

The image source panel 203 may generate an image according to a drivingsignal provided by the driving unit 201 and emit light according to thegenerated image. To this purpose, the image source panel 203 may use theLiquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED)panel.

The PBSF 211 may separate light due to the image generated from theimage source panel 203 or block or pass part of the light according to arotation angle. Therefore, for example, if the image light emitted fromthe image source panel 203 is composed of P wave, which is horizontallight, and S wave, which is vertical light, the PBSF 211 may separatethe P and S waves into different light paths or pass the image light ofone polarization or block the image light of the other polarization. ThePBSF 211 may be provided as a cube type or plate type in one embodiment.

The cube-type PBSF 211 may filter the image light composed of P and Swaves and separate them into different light paths while the plate-typePBSF 211 may pass the image light of one of the P and S waves but blockthe image light of the other polarization.

The mirror 209 reflects the image light separated from polarization bythe PBSF 211 to collect the polarized image light again and let thecollected image light incident on a plurality of lenses 213, 215, 217,221.

The plurality of lenses 213, 215, 217, 221 may include convex andconcave lenses and for example, may include I-type lenses and C-typelenses. The plurality of lenses 213, 215, 217, 221 repeat diffusion andconvergence of image light incident on the lenses, thereby improvingstraightness of the image light rays.

The FEL 219 may receive the image light which has passed the pluralityof lenses 213, 215, 217, 221 and emit the image light so as to improveilluminance uniformity and extend the area exhibiting uniformilluminance due to the image light.

The dichroic filter 227 may include a plurality of films or lenses andpass light of a specific range of wavelengths from the image lightincoming from the FEL 219 but reflect light not belonging to thespecific range of wavelengths, thereby adjusting saturation of color ofthe image light. The image light which has passed the dichroic filter227 may pass through the FPL 223 and be emitted to the display unit 300.

The display unit 300 may receive the image light emitted from theoptical driving unit 200 and emit the incident image light to thedirection in which the user's eyes are located.

Meanwhile, in addition to the constituting elements described above, theelectronic device may include one or more image capture means (notshown). The image capture means, being disposed close to at least one ofleft and right eyes, may capture the image of the front area. Or theimage capture means may be disposed so as to capture the image of theside/rear area.

Since the image capture means is disposed close to the eye, the imagecapture means may obtain the image of a real world seen by the user. Theimage capture means may be installed at the frame 100 or arranged inplural numbers to obtain stereoscopic images.

The electronic device may provide a user input unit 130 manipulated toreceive control commands. The user input unit 130 may adopt variousmethods including a tactile manner in which the user operates the userinput unit by sensing a tactile stimulus from a touch or push motion,gesture manner in which the user input unit recognizes the hand motionof the user without a direct touch thereon, or a manner in which theuser input unit recognizes a voice command. The present figureillustrates a case where the user input unit 130 is installed at theframe 100.

Also, the electronic device may be equipped with a microphone whichreceives a sound and converts the received sound to electrical voicedata and a sound output unit 140 that outputs a sound. The sound outputunit 140 may be configured to transfer a sound through an ordinary soundoutput scheme or bone conduction scheme. When the sound output unit 140is configured to operate according to the bone conduction scheme, thesound output unit 140 is fit to the head when the user wears theelectronic device and transmits sound by vibrating the skull.

In what follows, various forms of the display unit 300 and variousmethods for emitting incident image light rays will be described.

FIGS. 7 to 13 illustrate various display methods applicable to thedisplay unit 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

More specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a prism-typeoptical element; FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a waveguide-typeoptical element; FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate one embodiment of a pinmirror-type optical element; and FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of asurface reflection-type optical element. And FIG. 12 illustrates oneembodiment of a micro-LED type optical element, and FIG. 13 illustratesone embodiment of a display unit used for contact lenses.

As shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 300-1 according to one embodimentof the present invention may use a prism-type optical element.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a prism-type optical elementmay use a flat-type glass optical element where the surface 300 a onwhich image light rays are incident and from which the image light raysare emitted is planar or as shown in FIG. 7(b), may use a freeform glassoptical element where the surface 300 b from which the image light raysare emitted is formed by a curved surface without a fixed radius ofcurvature.

The flat-type glass optical element may receive the image lightgenerated by the optical driving unit 200 through the flat side surface,reflect the received image light by using the total reflection mirror300 a installed inside and emit the reflected image light toward theuser. Here, laser is used to form the total reflection mirror 300 ainstalled inside the flat type glass optical element.

The freeform glass optical element is formed so that its thicknessbecomes thinner as it moves away from the surface on which light isincident, receives image light generated by the optical driving unit 200through a side surface having a finite radius of curvature, totallyreflects the received image light, and emits the reflected light towardthe user.

As shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 300-2 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention may use a waveguide-type opticalelement or light guide optical element (LOE).

As one embodiment, the waveguide or light guide-type optical element maybe implemented by using a segmented beam splitter-type glass opticalelement as shown in FIG. 8(a), saw tooth prism-type glass opticalelement as shown in FIG. 8(b), glass optical element having adiffractive optical element (DOE) as shown in FIG. 8(c), glass opticalelement having a hologram optical element (HOE) as shown in FIG. 8(d),glass optical element having a passive grating as shown in FIG. 8(e),and glass optical element having an active grating as shown in FIG.8(f).

As shown in FIG. 8(a), the segmented beam splitter-type glass opticalelement may have a total reflection mirror 301 a where an optical imageis incident and a segmented beam splitter 301 b where an optical imageis emitted.

Accordingly, the optical image generated by the optical driving unit 200is totally reflected by the total reflection mirror 301 a inside theglass optical element, and the totally reflected optical image ispartially separated and emitted by the partial reflection mirror 301 band eventually perceived by the user while being guided along thelongitudinal direction of the glass.

In the case of the saw tooth prism-type glass optical element as shownin FIG. 8(b), the optical image generated by the optical driving unit200 is incident on the side surface of the glass in the obliquedirection and totally reflected into the inside of the glass, emitted tothe outside of the glass by the saw tooth-shaped uneven structure 302formed where the optical image is emitted, and eventually perceived bythe user.

The glass optical element having a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) asshown in FIG. 8(c) may have a first diffraction unit 303 a on thesurface of the part on which the optical image is incident and a seconddiffraction unit 303 b on the surface of the part from which the opticalimage is emitted. The first and second diffraction units 303 a, 303 bmay be provided in a way that a specific pattern is patterned on thesurface of the glass or a separate diffraction film is attached thereon.

Accordingly, the optical image generated by the optical driving unit 200is diffracted as it is incident through the first diffraction unit 303a, guided along the longitudinal direction of the glass while beingtotally reflected, emitted through the second diffraction unit 303 b,and eventually perceived by the user.

The glass optical element having a Hologram Optical Element (HOE) asshown in FIG. 8(d) may have an out-coupler 304 inside the glass fromwhich an optical image is emitted. Accordingly, the optical image isincoming from the optical driving unit 200 in the oblique directionthrough the side surface of the glass, guided along the longitudinaldirection of the glass by being totally reflected, emitted by theout-coupler 304, and eventually perceived by the user. The structure ofthe HOE may be modified gradually to be further divided into thestructure having a passive grating and the structure having an activegrating.

The glass optical element having a passive grating as shown in FIG. 8(e)may have an in-coupler 305 a on the opposite surface of the glasssurface on which the optical image is incident and an out-coupler 305 bon the opposite surface of the glass surface from which the opticalimage is emitted. Here, the in-coupler 305 a and the out-coupler 305 bmay be provided in the form of film having a passive grating.

Accordingly, the optical image incident on the glass surface at thelight-incident side of the glass is totally reflected by the in-coupler305 a installed on the opposite surface, guided along the longitudinaldirection of the glass, emitted through the opposite surface of theglass by the out-coupler 305 b, and eventually perceived by the user.

The glass optical element having an active grating as shown in FIG. 8(f)may have an in-coupler 306 a formed as an active grating inside theglass through which an optical image is incoming and an out-coupler 306b formed as an active grating inside the glass from which the opticalimage is emitted.

Accordingly, the optical image incident on the glass is totallyreflected by the in-coupler 306 a, guided in the longitudinal directionof the glass, emitted to the outside of the glass by the out-coupler 306b, and eventually perceived by the user.

The display unit 300-3 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention may use a pin mirror-type optical element.

The pinhole effect is so called because the hole through which an objectis seen is like the one made with the point of a pin and refers to theeffect of making an object look more clearly as light is passed througha small hole. This effect results from the nature of light due torefraction of light, and the light passing through the pinhole deepensthe depth of field (DOF), which makes the image formed on the retinamore vivid.

In what follows, an embodiment for using a pin mirror-type opticalelement will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to FIG. 9(a), the pinhole mirror 310 a may be provided on thepath of incident light within the display unit 300-3 and reflect theincident light toward the user's eye. More specifically, the pinholemirror 310 a may be disposed between the front surface (outer surface)and the rear surface (inner surface) of the display unit 300-3, and amethod for manufacturing the pinhole mirror will be described againlater.

The pinhole mirror 310 a may be formed to be smaller than the pupil ofthe eye and to provide a deep depth of field. Therefore, even if thefocal length for viewing a real world through the display unit 300-3 ischanged, the user may still clearly see the real world by overlapping anaugmented reality image provided by the optical driving unit 200 withthe image of the real world.

And the display unit 300-3 may provide a path which guides the incidentlight to the pinhole mirror 310 a through internal total reflection.

Referring to FIG. 9(b), the pinhole mirror 310 b may be provided on thesurface 300 c through which light is totally reflected in the displayunit 300-3. Here, the pinhole mirror 310 b may have the characteristicof a prism that changes the path of external light according to theuser's eyes. For example, the pinhole mirror 310 b may be fabricated asfilm-type and attached to the display unit 300-3, in which case theprocess for manufacturing the pinhole mirror is made easy.

The display unit 300-3 may guide the incident light incoming from theoptical driving unit 200 through internal total reflection, the lightincident by total reflection may be reflected by the pinhole mirror 310b installed on the surface on which external light is incident, and thereflected light may pass through the display unit 300-3 to reach theuser's eyes.

Referring to FIG. 9(c), the incident light illuminated by the opticaldriving unit 200 may be reflected by the pinhole mirror 310 c directlywithout internal total reflection within the display unit 300-3 andreach the user's eyes. This structure is convenient for themanufacturing process in that augmented reality may be providedirrespective of the shape of the surface through which external lightpasses within the display unit 300-3.

Referring to FIG. 9(d), the light illuminated by the optical drivingunit 200 may reach the user's eyes by being reflected within the displayunit 300-3 by the pinhole mirror 310 d installed on the surface 300 dfrom which external light is emitted. The optical driving unit 200 isconfigured to illuminate light at the position separated from thesurface of the display unit 300-3 in the direction of the rear surfaceand illuminate light toward the surface 300 d from which external lightis emitted within the display unit 300-3. The present embodiment may beapplied easily when thickness of the display unit 300-3 is notsufficient to accommodate the light illuminated by the optical drivingunit 200. Also, the present embodiment may be advantageous formanufacturing in that it may be applied irrespective of the surfaceshape of the display unit 300-3, and the pinhole mirror 310 d may bemanufactured in a film shape.

Meanwhile, the pinhole mirror 310 may be provided in plural numbers inan array pattern.

FIG. 10 illustrates the shape of a pinhole mirror and structure of anarray pattern according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the figure, the pinhole mirror 310 may be fabricated in apolygonal structure including a square or rectangular shape. Here, thelength (diagonal length) of a longer axis of the pinhole mirror 310 mayhave a positive square root of the product of the focal length andwavelength of light illuminated in the display unit 300-3.

A plurality of pinhole mirrors 310 are disposed in parallel, beingseparated from each other, to form an array pattern. The array patternmay form a line pattern or lattice pattern.

FIGS. 10(a) and (b) illustrate the Flat Pin Mirror scheme, and FIGS.10(c) and (d) illustrate the freeform Pin Mirror scheme.

When the pinhole mirror 310 is installed inside the display unit 300-3,the first glass 300 e and the second glass 300 f are combined by aninclined surface 300 g disposed being inclined toward the pupil of theeye, and a plurality of pinhole mirrors 310 e are disposed on theinclined surface 300 g by forming an array pattern.

Referring to FIGS. 10(a) and (b), a plurality of pinhole mirrors 310 emay be disposed side by side along one direction on the inclined surface300 g and continuously display the augmented reality provided by theoptical driving unit 200 on the image of a real world seen through thedisplay unit 300-3 even if the user moves the pupil of the eye.

And referring to FIGS. 10(c) and (d), the plurality of pinhole mirrors310 f may form a radial array on the inclined surface 300 g provided asa curved surface.

Since the plurality of pinhole mirrors 300 f are disposed along theradial array, the pinhole mirror 310 f at the edge in the figure isdisposed at the highest position, and the pinhole mirror 310 f in themiddle thereof is disposed at the lowest position, the path of a beamemitted by the optical driving unit 200 may be matched to each pinholemirror.

As described above, by disposing a plurality of pinhole arrays 310 falong the radial array, the double image problem of augmented realityprovided by the optical driving unit 200 due to the path difference oflight may be resolved.

Similarly, lenses may be attached on the rear surface of the displayunit 300-3 to compensate for the path difference of the light reflectedfrom the plurality of pinhole mirrors 310 e disposed side by side in arow.

The surface reflection-type optical element that may be applied to thedisplay unit 300-4 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention may employ the freeform combiner method as shown in FIG.11(a), Flat HOE method as shown in FIG. 11(b), and freeform HOE methodas shown in FIG. 11(c).

The surface reflection-type optical element based on the freeformcombiner method as shown in FIG. 11(a) may use freeform combiner glass300, for which a plurality of flat surfaces having different incidenceangles for an optical image are combined to form one glass with a curvedsurface as a whole to perform the role of a combiner. The freeformcombiner glass 300 emits an optical image to the user by makingincidence angle of the optical image differ in the respective areas.

The surface reflection-type optical element based on Flat HOE method asshown in FIG. 11(b) may have a hologram optical element (HOE) 311 coatedor patterned on the surface of flat glass, where an optical imageemitted by the optical driving unit 200 passes through the HOE 311,reflects from the surface of the glass, again passes through the HOE311, and is eventually emitted to the user.

The surface reflection-type optical element based on the freeform HOEmethod as shown in FIG. 11(c) may have a HOE 313 coated or patterned onthe surface of freeform glass, where the operating principles may be thesame as described with reference to FIG. 11(b).

In addition, a display unit 300-5 employing micro LED as shown in FIG.12 and a display unit 300-6 employing a contact lens as shown in FIG. 13may also be used.

Referring to FIG. 12, the optical element of the display unit 300-5 mayinclude a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) element, Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD) element, Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displayelement, and Digital Micromirror Device (DMD); and the optical elementmay further include a next-generation display element such as Micro LEDand Quantum Dot (QD) LED.

The image data generated by the optical driving unit 200 to correspondto the augmented reality image is transmitted to the display unit 300-5along a conductive input line 316, and the display unit 300-5 mayconvert the image signal to light through a plurality of opticalelements 314 (for example, microLED) and emits the converted light tothe user's eye.

The plurality of optical elements 314 are disposed in a latticestructure (for example, 100×100) to form a display area 314 a. The usermay see the augmented reality through the display area 314 a within thedisplay unit 300-5. And the plurality of optical elements 314 may bedisposed on a transparent substrate.

The image signal generated by the optical driving unit 200 is sent to animage split circuit 315 provided at one side of the display unit 300-5;the image split circuit 315 is divided into a plurality of branches,where the image signal is further sent to an optical element 314disposed at each branch. At this time, the image split circuit 315 maybe located outside the field of view of the user so as to minimize gazeinterference.

Referring to FIG. 13, the display unit 300-5 may comprise a contactlens. A contact lens 300-5 on which augmented reality may be displayedis also called a smart contact lens. The smart contact lens 300-5 mayhave a plurality of optical elements 317 in a lattice structure at thecenter of the smart contact lens.

The smart contact lens 300-5 may include a solar cell 318 a, battery 318b, optical driving unit 200, antenna 318 c, and sensor 318 d in additionto the optical element 317. For example, the sensor 318 d may check theblood sugar level in the tear, and the optical driving unit 200 mayprocess the signal of the sensor 318 d and display the blood sugar levelin the form of augmented reality through the optical element 317 so thatthe user may check the blood sugar level in real-time.

As described above, the display unit 300 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention may be implemented by using one of the prism-typeoptical element, waveguide-type optical element, light guide opticalelement (LOE), pin mirror-type optical element, or surfacereflection-type optical element. In addition to the above, an opticalelement that may be applied to the display unit 300 according to oneembodiment of the present invention may include a retina scan method.

FIG. 14A illustrates an aspect of an electronic device 20 in the glassesmode, and FIG. 14B illustrates an aspect of electronic device 20 in thehead unit mode.

Electronic device 20 associated with the present invention may have afeature of XR device 13 described above, that is, an extended realityelectronic device 20, and, in particular, smart glasses. However,features of other electronic devices 20 may be applied organically or incombination as long as they do not contradict.

As described above, electronic device 20 includes a frame 100, anoptical driving unit 200, and a display unit 300. Optical driving unit200 includes an image source panel configured to form image lightcorresponding to the content to be output, and the image light formed inoptical driving unit 200 is visible to a user through display unit 300.Optical driving unit 200 and display unit 300 may be provided to frame100. In particular, optical driving unit 200 may be implemented in aform that is not visible to the outside by being mounted in an internalspace formed by frame 100.

According to the trend of lighter weight of the device, electronicdevice 20 may be implemented as smart glasses which are mounted on ahead 501 by a side frame 120 in the form of a leg of eyeglasses, asshown in FIG. 14A, which is connected by a wired connection to anexternal device 520, and uses power or data of external device 520 tooutput contents. However, this type of electronic device 20 may belimited in performance, it may be cumbersome in that it requires thecoupling of an external device, stable mounting may be difficult, andwearing for a long time may be difficult due to the loads on the earsand nose.

Accordingly, the present invention provides 2-way electronic device 20in which a front frame 110 provided with optical driving unit 200 anddisplay unit 300 is fixed to head 501 like smart glasses as shown inFIG. 14A (hereinafter, referred to as glasses mode) or fixed to head 501through a head unit 400 as shown in FIG. 14B (hereinafter, referred toas head unit mode). That is, when a light and simple electronic device20 is required, the glasses mode is used. If external device 520 doesnot exist or the user wants to obtain a higher performance result, itcan be used in the head unit mode.

In the head unit mode, head unit 400 may be fixed to head 501 through asupport band 410 and a support bracket 411. Support band 410 is fixed tothe circumference of head 501, and support bracket 411 is fixed tosupport a region of head 501. Accordingly, it can be provided with arelatively large and heavy configuration, such as a main body 420 thatforms an electronic part.

In electronic device 20 of the head unit mode, side frame 120 may beomitted, and front frame 110 may be implemented to be fastened and fixedto head unit 400. Head unit 400 includes support band 410, supportbracket 411 and main body 420, and may be fixed to head 501 by supportband 410 fixed to the circumference of head 501 and support bracket 411seated by supporting a region of head 501.

Head unit 400 and front frame 110 are fastened through a fasteningmodule 600. Hereinafter, a detailed structure of fastening module 600will be described.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate before and after the coupling state offastening module 600 associated with present invention sequentially, andFIG. 15C is a front view of an elastic locking member 651.

Fastening module 600 largely includes an insert part 610 provided on oneside of head unit 400 or front frame 110 and a receiving part 650provided on the other side. Insert part 610 may be provided in head unit400 and receiving part 650 may be provided in front frame 110, orreceiving part 650 may be provided in head unit 400 and insert part 610may be provided in front frame 110. However, it is preferable thatinsert part 610 having relatively large volume and weight is provided onthe side of head unit 400. This is because front frame 110 continues toserve as electronic device 20 even in the glasses mode. Hereinafter, itwill be described on the premise that insert part 610 is provided on theside of head unit 400.

Insert part 610 includes a support rod 611 fixed on the side of headunit 400 and a notch 612 formed on support rod 611, and receiving part650 includes an elastic locking member 651 fixed on the side of frontframe 110.

Elastic locking member 651 may have a shape that elastically opens.Elastic locking member 651 has an elastic restoring force that ispressed until both sides make a predetermined distance, which gives it afeature that can be seated and fixed to notch 612. For example, elasticlocking member 651 may include a ‘U’ shaped ring.

Elastic locking member 651 may include a contact portion 6511 in an areain contact with a notch 612 of supporting rod 611, an opening portion6512 for opening elastic locking member 651, and an extension portion6513 to provide an enlarged area for the opening portion to widen so asto increase the elastic modulus of elastic locking member 651.

Notch 612 forms an area recessed to a certain depth on the outercircumferential surface of support rod 611 provided on the side of headunit 400.

When insert part 610 and receiving part 650 get close to each other inthe coupling direction, support rod 611 is inserted into elastic lockingmember 651, and elastic locking member 651 passes over the outercircumferential surface of support rod 611 and seats on notch 612.Elastic locking member 651 seated on notch 612 has a rigid fasteningforce by receiving an elastic restoring force pressed inward.

Support rod 611 may include a chamfer 618 to be easily inserted into theinner region of elastic locking member 651. Chamfer 618 is provided atone end of the supporting rod in the insertion direction so that elasticlocking member 651 in the state before being opened can be naturallyopened.

For the stability of the fastening, the coupling structure may beimplemented in plural. For example, insert part 610 may include a pairof support rods 611 a and 611 b and notches 612 a and 612 b, andreceiving part 650 may also include a pair of elastic locking members651 a and 651 b corresponding thereto (See FIG. 16A). Pair of supportingrods 611 may be provided in parallel with respect to the insertiondirection.

Support rod 611 may be provided in an insert part case 6101 forming theappearance of insert part 610, and elastic locking member 651 may beprovided in a receiving part case 6501 forming the appearance ofreceiving part 650.

FIG. 16A illustrates a side view and a bottom view of the state that thefastening module is fastened, and FIG. 16B illustrates a side view and abottom view of the state that the fastening module is released.

Unlike the fastening process, fastening module 600 may be separatedafter releasing the fastening state between insert part 610 andreceiving part 650 by the manipulation of a fastening release button614. This is to prevent fastening module 600 from being unintentionallyseparated.

Each support rod 611 includes a first member 6111 and a second member6112 provided to face each other to form a gap 617 therebetween. Firstmember 6111 and second member 6112 may be provided such that gap 617 ofa predetermined distance is formed after the cylinder is cut in thevertical direction. Notch 612 may be provided over first member 6111 andsecond member 6112, so that one region may be formed in first member6111 and the other region may be formed in second member 6112.

A pressing clip 613 elastically presses first member 6111 and secondmember 6112 to reduce gap 617 formed between first member 6111 andsecond member 6112. Elastic pressing means that first member 6111 andsecond member 6112 can be opened when a mutually opening force isapplied to first member 6111 and second member 6112 by an external forceof a predetermined amount or more, despite the provision of pressingclip 613. The elastic compressive force may be realized with thematerial and shape of first member 6111 and second member 6112 bythemselves instead of pressing clip 613.

A slider 615 may slide between first member 6111 and second member 6112,and selectively fills gap 617 according to the slide movement to preventgap 617 from being reduced. More specifically, gap 617 between firstmember 6111 and second member 6112 include a working gap 6171corresponding to the thickness of slider 615 based on the state in whichelastic locking member 651 is caught by notch 612, and a release gap6172 that forms a wider gap than working gap 6171 to allow working gap6171 to decrease when slider 615 is positioned.

When fastening module 600 is fastened, slider 615 is positioned inworking gap 6171 so that first member 6111 and second member 6112 aresufficiently widened to secure the fastening of notch 612 and elasticfastening member 651. When fastening module 600 is released, slider 615slides and is located in release gap 6172 so that first member 6111 andsecond member 6112 are gathered to release the fastening of notch 612and elastic fastening member 651. That is, the outer diameter of thegathered first member 6111 and second member 6112 is equal to or smallerthan the inner diameter of elastic locking member 651 in the releasestate, so that elastic locking member 651 is pulled out without beingcaught by notch 612 even if supporting rod 611 is moved in theseparation direction.

A spring 616 is provided in insert part 610 to press slider 615 so thatslider 615 is located in working gap 6171, and is compressed by themanipulation of fastening release button 614 so as to move slider 615.

A gap slope 6173 is provided at the boundary between working gap 6171and release gap 6172 to allow slider 615 to move easily from release gap6172 to working gap 6171. In particular, the insertion direction end ofslider 615 may be provided with a bevel tip 6151 having a shapecorresponding to that of gap slope 6173.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the state in which insert part 610 andreceiving part 650 of fastening module 600 associated with the presentinvention are fastened.

Insert part case 6101 forms the appearance of insert part 610, andreceiving part case 6501 forms the appearance of receiving part 650.Pressing clip 613 may be provided to press supporting rod 611 at a pointbetween the opposing surfaces of insert part case 6101 and receivingpart case 6501. Therefore, pressing clip 613 has an advantage to bereplaced to adjust the compression force of first member 6111 and secondmember 6112 of support rod 611.

Pressing clip 613 may be provided in the shape of a plate perpendicularto the insertion direction. Pressing clip 613 may include a gapprevention part 6131 which elastically presses opposing surfaces ofinsert part case 6101 and receiving part case 6501 in the state whereinsert part 610 and receiving part 650 are fastened. Gap prevention part6131 may have a curved surface protruding in one region of the plateshape to have elasticity through its own shape. Pressing clip 613 may beprovided with a metal material to ensure structural reliability.

Gap prevention part 6131 is pressed while insert part 610 and receivingpart 650 are fastened to form a restoring force for pushing the opposingsurfaces of insert part 610 and receiving part 650 so that insert part610 and receiving part 650 are fixed so as not to sway.

Fastening module 600 includes a pair of fastening module magnets 619 and652. Pair of fastening module magnets 619 and 652 are provided to beadjacent to opposing surfaces of insert part case 6101 and receivingpart case 6501 to generate mutual attraction. Pair of fastening modulemagnets 619 and 652 eliminates a fine gap that may occur between insertpart 610 and receiving part 650, and furthermore between head unit 400and front frame 110, and gives a sense of attachment at the time offastening.

Meanwhile, a magnet structure for assisting in attachment between headunit 400 and front frame 110 may be provided in the frame itself. Thatis, frame magnets 431 for generating mutual attraction in the respectiveregions of opposing bodies of head unit 400 and front frame 110 may beprovided (see FIG. 14). Unlike fastening module magnets 619 and 652provided in fastening module 600, it has an advantage that the senses ofdetachment and attachment are given when front frame 110 is rotated toopen and close with respect to head unit 400 while fastening module 600is fastened (see FIG. 18).

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of an electronic device 20 associatedwith the present invention.

A hinge unit 601 fastens insert part 610 and head unit 400 to berotatable with each other. Hinge unit 601 allows insert part 610 andhead unit 400 to be rotatable with a rotation axis perpendicular to theinsertion direction to adjust the rotation angle of front frame 110 inaccordance with various body characteristics of the user in varioussizes and shapes to enable the most appropriate wearing. Further, frontframe 110 may be completely raised so that front frame 110 does notobstruct the vision in the state where electronic device 20 is worn butnot in use.

Front frame 110 may include an input port 111 that receives data orpower. It can be connected to external device 520 through cable 510 inthe glasses mode, and can be electrically connected to main body 420through cable 510 in the head unit mode.

In the head unit mode, one side of cable 510 is connected to main body420, and the other side is connected to input port 111. Cable 510connecting main body 420 and front frame 110 may sag depending on itslength, which causes inconvenience to the user. Therefore, support band410 may be provided with a first cable fixing magnet 511 a, and cable510 may be provided with a second cable fixing magnet 511 b forgenerating mutual attraction with first cable fixing magnet 511 a.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of an electronic device 20 associatedwith the present invention.

In the head unit mode, main body 420 may supply data and power to frontframe 110 as described above, or additional data and power may bereceived from external device 520. When external device 520 is connectedto main body 420, the input may be easily implemented, and externaldevice 520 may take the place of the performance that the electricalpart of main body 420 cannot achieve to increase the work efficiency. Inaddition, there is an advantage that electronic device 20 may be drivenby receiving power from external device 520 when main body 420 lackspower.

Some or other embodiments of the present invention described above arenot exclusive or distinct from one another. Certain embodiments or otherembodiments of the present invention described above may be combined orused together in each configuration or function.

For example, it means that A configuration described in certainembodiments and/or drawings and B configuration described in otherembodiments and/or drawings may be combined. In other words, even whenthe combination between the configurations is not described directly, itmeans that the combination is possible unless clearly stated otherwise.

The detailed descriptions above should be regarded as being illustrativerather than restrictive in every aspect. The technical scope of thepresent invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation ofthe appended claims, and all of the modifications that fall within anequivalent scope of the present invention belong to the technical scopeof the present invention.

The advantageous effects of the electronic device according to thepresent invention will be described below.

The advantageous effects of the electronic device according to thepresent invention are described below.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention,an electronic device may be used with selective coupling to an externaldevice or a head unit.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention,it is possible to have a structure that the head unit and the displayunit can be easily coupled and separated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: an opticaldriving unit including an image source panel configured to form imagelight; a display unit configured to display the image light formed bythe optical driving unit to a user; a front frame configured to mountthe optical driving unit and the display unit; a head unit selectivelycoupled to the front frame to be seated on a head of the user, andconfigured to form an electronic part; and a fastening module configuredto fasten the head unit and the front frame, wherein the fasteningmodule includes a receiving part provided in the front frame; an insertpart provided in the head unit and configured to be inserted into thereceiving part to be fastened; and an elastic locking member provided inthe receiving part to hold the fastening with a restoring force.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the elastic locking member isprovided with one side open, which is a ‘C’ shaped ring generating arestoring force when the open area is widened.
 3. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the insert part includes: a support rod configuredto be inserted into the elastic locking member; a chamfer provided atone end of the supporting rod in an insertion direction to open theelastic locking member to generate a restoring force when the supportrod is inserted; and a notch provided along a circumference of thesupport rod to which the opened elastic locking member is restored andcaught.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the support rod iscomposed of a first member and a second member facing each other to forma gap therebetween, which form one region and other region of the notch,respectively, and the electronic device further comprises a pressingclip for elastically pressing the first member and the second member toreduce the gap, and a slider slide-movable between the first member andthe second member to selectively fill the gap according to the slidemovement to prevent a reduction of the gap.
 5. The electronic device ofclaim 4, further comprising a fastening release button connected to theslider and provided in the insert part to be exposed.
 6. The electronicdevice of claim 4, further comprising a spring provided in the insertpart to elastically press the slider for the slider to fill the gap. 7.The electronic device of claim 4, further comprising: an insert partcase forming an appearance of the insert part; and a receiving part caseforming an appearance of the receiving part, wherein the pressing clipis provided to press the supporting rod at one point between opposingsurfaces of the insert part case and the receiving part case.
 8. Theelectronic device of claim 7, wherein the pressing clip is provided in ashape of a plate perpendicular to the insertion direction and includes agap prevention part which forms a curved protruding surface forelastically pressing the opposing surfaces of the insert part case andthe receiving part case in a state where the insert part and thereceiving part are fastened.
 9. The electronic device of claim 7,further comprising a pair of fastening module magnet provided to beadjacent to the opposing surfaces of the insert part case and thereceiving part case to generate mutual attraction.
 10. The electronicdevice of claim 3, wherein the support rod is provided in pairs and inparallel to the insertion direction.
 11. The electronic device of claim1, further comprising a hinge unit for fastening the insert part and thehead unit so that the insert part and the head unit can be mutuallyrotatable with respect to a rotation axis perpendicular to the insertiondirection.
 12. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprisingfastening auxiliary magnets provided on the head unit and the frontframe to generate mutual attraction, respectively.
 13. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the head unit includes: a support bandsurrounding the head to fix the head unit to the head; a support bracketconnected with the support band to support a region of the head; and amain body connected with the support band to form the electronic part,wherein the fastening module is provided in the support bracket.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 13, further comprising: an input port formedin the front frame; and a cable, one side of which is connected to themain body and other side of which is connected to the input port, forsupplying data and power of the head unit to the driving unit.
 15. Theelectronic device of claim 14, further comprising: a first cable fixingmagnet provided in the support band; and a second cable fixing magnetprovided in the cable to generate mutual attraction with the firstmagnet.
 16. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising: aninput port formed in the main body; and a cable, one side of which isconnected to an external device and other side of which is connected tothe input port, for supplying data or power of the external device tothe main body.
 17. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:an input port formed in the front frame; and a cable, one side of whichis connected to an external device and other side of which is connectedto the input port, for supplying data or power of the external device tothe driving unit.